Shen scored upon, but wins

Plainsmen have 34-point streak to come away with fifth victory

by mark singelais Staff writer

Published 12:50 am, Saturday, October 1, 2011

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 1of/13

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 13

Shenendehowa's Tony Fusco ,top, dives over Ballston Spa's Jake Gargiulo for a touchdown during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Shenendehowa's Tony Fusco ,top, dives over Ballston Spa's Jake Gargiulo for a touchdown during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 2 of 13

Ballston Spa Head Coach John Bowen coaches his team against Shenendehowa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Ballston Spa Head Coach John Bowen coaches his team against Shenendehowa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 3 of 13

Shenendehowa Head coach Brent Steuerwald coaches his team against
Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Shenendehowa Head coach Brent Steuerwald coaches his team against
Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 4 of 13

Ballston Spa's Jordan Davis (22) runs for a touchdown against Shenendehowa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Ballston Spa's Jordan Davis (22) runs for a touchdown against Shenendehowa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 5 of 13

Ballston Spa's Jordan Davis (22) runs for a touchdown against Shenendehowa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Ballston Spa's Jordan Davis (22) runs for a touchdown against Shenendehowa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 6 of 13

Shenendehowa's Nick Hirsch (31) congratulates teammate Chris Stewart (69) on his interception against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Shenendehowa's Nick Hirsch (31) congratulates teammate Chris Stewart (69) on his interception against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 7 of 13

Shenendehowa's Chris Stewart talks with teammates after his interception against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Shenendehowa's Chris Stewart talks with teammates after his interception against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 8 of 13

Ballston Spa's John DeGuardi (6) slips past Shenendehowa's Brandon Miller (85) during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Ballston Spa's John DeGuardi (6) slips past Shenendehowa's Brandon Miller (85) during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 9 of 13

Shenendehowa's Tony Fusco (25)runs the ball against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Shenendehowa's Tony Fusco (25)runs the ball against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 10 of 13

Shenendehowa's Corey Acker ,right, kicks an extra point against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Shenendehowa's Corey Acker ,right, kicks an extra point against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 11 of 13

Shenendehowa's Teddy Van Galen (3) throws the ball against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Shenendehowa's Teddy Van Galen (3) throws the ball against Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 12 of 13

Shenendehowa's Jahlon Buchanan (1) gets his shoulder pads adjusted by team members prior to playing Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports less

Shenendehowa's Jahlon Buchanan (1) gets his shoulder pads adjusted by team members prior to playing Ballston Spa during their High School Football game in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Friday Sept. 30, 2011. (Hans ... more

Photo: Hans Pennink

Image 13 of 13

Shen scored upon, but wins

1 / 13

Back to Gallery

BALLSTON SPA -- Shenendehowa football coach Brent Steuerwald said he was actually relieved to see his team scored upon for the first time this season on Friday night.

Ballston Spa struck quickly on Jordan Davis' 19-yard touchdown run only 1:49 into the game, ending the Plainsmen's scoreless streak at 193 minutes and 49 seconds.

"It (the streak) took away from what we really want to see accomplished, which is to win football games and do it in an appropriate manner," Steuerwald said. "We don't need a monkey on our back."

With that burden removed, Shen scored 34 unanswered points and rolled to a 37-20 win over Ballston Spa in a battle of Class AA unbeatens.

Senior quarterback Teddy Van Galen completed 11 of 14 passes for 165 yards and a career-high three touchdowns as the Plainsmen improved to 5-0.

Senior Tony Fusco added 124 yards rushing and two scores, and junior defensive tackle Chris Stewart grabbed his first career interception and returned it to the Ballston Spa 1 to set up a Shen touchdown late in the first half.

"The defense responded pretty well," Stewart said. "We knew this was going to be a tough game. We expected them to score points. We didn't expect to shut them out. Having them score that early in the game really got our gears going a little bit, got our offense moving."

More Information

The Scotties (4-1) got off to an auspicious start when Davis returned the opening kickoff 63 yards to the Shen 28. On fourth-and-1 from the 19, Davis took a pitchout and swept through the right side for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Shen tied the score at 7 on Tony Fusco's one-yard plunge with 2:39 left in the first quarter.

Fusco's 32-yard run set up Van Galen's five-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Miller for a 14-7 lead with 10:31 left in the first half.

Fusco added a two-yard touchdown run to put Shen ahead 20-7.

Then Stewart picked off a screen pass from Ballston Spa quarterback John DeGuardi and returned it 44 yards to the Ballston Spa 1 with one minute remaining in the half.